Hello everyone! It’s been quite some time since I posted but wanted to share a good one with you that I think many will appreciate and enjoy seeing. This season started out like many before. We have a number of very good bucks and a few exceptional ones we’re looking for this year. Thanks to a great management program, which I am now in my 20th year of being a part of, we have built an excellent Hill Country low fence hunting lease. Chris Wright (TrophyHunter) did an exceptional job before me and I am still appreciative of him turning it over to me many years ago. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed sharing campfires with a number of different TBH members and am fortunate to have a few of the best still hunting with me now for many years.
Adam Wetz (Mooseontheloose) has established himself over the years as a great resource, friend, and outstanding lease member. He has an eye for every deer and never forgets a single one. However, this year he was quick to point out a trophy of a different kind, one that stands above all others and definitely worthy of pursuit. In this case, it was a unique white hog, with a black face and exceptional teeth on both sides. The teeth were truly bigger than almost any I have ever seen. While I’m always interested in good deer, I knew I really wanted to pursue this nocturnal monster. Throughout the season, he’s been on various cameras, usually extremely late at night.
This past weekend at the lease, it turned out only my wife and I would be there. I told her ahead of time, I would likely be putting in real time during the night for this pig. The plan was set and we were on our way.
Obligatory gate Biatch pic. Kidding…she’s far more than that. She’s an accomplished archer, great lease member, and exceptional partner to navigate this crazy world!
Based upon our trail camera pics, I knew this would likely be a night time endeavor so on Saturday morning I opted for a spot to get a doe or take a look at a good buck that was recently frequenting the area. The buck was a no show but this lady hung out a little too long that morning.
Saturday evening the plans were slightly adjusted after observing another known good buck on a trail camera. This is a decent buck we’ve been waiting to show up and I was definitely interested in taking a better look at him in person. While the pig was still primary, I knew it wouldn’t likely be until after dark so the plan was to sit here for the buck and then bounce to an adjacent set not that far where the pig had been showing up after dark. The buck was a no show, so I quickly bailed right at dark and setup in the other set.
The next 5 hours were pretty quiet aside from the numerous coyote howls and buzzing mosquitoes. I knew this pig had been showing up late but it was now about midnight and I already been out for the evening sit in the other blind plus the 5 hours here. My tired old body was starting to feel it. One of my hunting partners, Jim Grimes (lost buckaroo) had recently put out cellular trail cameras. I’ve been a little on the fence on them as it just feels like too much technology encroachment in the woods. However, I found myself wanting to check a few sets to see if the pig had shown anywhere. I found him on another set in the pasture I was in but a decent distance away with regards to driving. I checked it another time or two to see if he was there, slightly dejected. It suddenly hit me, “dummy”… If you know where he is, go get him.
I grabbed my stuff and bailed to the suburban. I quickly made my way around the ranch and stopped well short of the set, at another stand. I checked the camera and he was still there. I hoofed it on foot from there at a fast pace as I knew he had already been there for some time. When getting close, I checked the camera once more but there was no update, then what appeared to be a blank pic with no pig. I pressed on closer and checked one final time, relieved to see he was still there. I eased forward.
I was now close enough in the dark to hear his breath blowing the dust around as he searched for every last kernel of corn. I crept in slow and quiet. I could see his faint outline on the edge of the set from the green hog lights. His mostly white body definitely helped as well. For those of you that stalk animals, you know the adrenaline surge that happens as you get closer to range with every step. I could feel a slight shake of excitement and nervousness shoot down my leg. I took another step to divert my focus only to break a small limb. The pig instantly froze and did that slight "hunch down" thing, nervously staring for the possible danger he thought he might have heard. It only lasted a few seconds but felt like forever as I wandered if I’d gotten this close only to blow it. He relaxed and walked forward behind the feeder and I used the opportunity to take one final step and prepare for the shot. When he came out from behind the feeder, I touched my red light and eased it down on him. Luckily, he could care less and I settled the pin and sent the Exodus on its way.
If you look close, you can see the nockturnal glowing as he carried the arrow away.
I decided to give him a little time. I went and got the suburban and came back for the track. I found the arrow glowing almost instantly on the track, broken about ½ to ¾ up with good blood. I began following a good blood trail and jumped him not far in. He stood up, turned around and fell right back down. He was hurting bad, staring at me intently, popping his teeth. I turned off the main light, eased on my red light and put another arrow in him at the only angle I had. He stood up, took a step and just stood there. In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have, but I put one more arrow in him just to make sure he wasn’t going to get some crazy surge of adrenaline and run another 100 yards in the dark. He of course made sure to fall over on that arrow and snap it off as he succumbed to his wounds.
No, it’s not a P&Y or B&C buck, but it's just as good. I’ve killed a lot of pigs over the years with a handful of good ones and this one is special. His coloration is pretty unique in itself and the tusks on both sides are just downright cool.
There’s a lot of season left and plenty of good animals to take, but I’m pretty happy with how it’s turned out if I don’t get anything else. However, I do have a trophy to find and a management buck I have a score to settle with. I hit this one high with what should be a flesh wound 2 weeks ago and I’m past ready for him to show back up.
Here's a picture of him, 10+ years old.
Anyways, it’s been awhile and feels good to share a hunting story. I hope all of you are having an enjoyable season and wish you the best of luck. I look forward to what it holds for all of you!!!!
Thanks,
Michael
Adam Wetz (Mooseontheloose) has established himself over the years as a great resource, friend, and outstanding lease member. He has an eye for every deer and never forgets a single one. However, this year he was quick to point out a trophy of a different kind, one that stands above all others and definitely worthy of pursuit. In this case, it was a unique white hog, with a black face and exceptional teeth on both sides. The teeth were truly bigger than almost any I have ever seen. While I’m always interested in good deer, I knew I really wanted to pursue this nocturnal monster. Throughout the season, he’s been on various cameras, usually extremely late at night.
This past weekend at the lease, it turned out only my wife and I would be there. I told her ahead of time, I would likely be putting in real time during the night for this pig. The plan was set and we were on our way.
Obligatory gate Biatch pic. Kidding…she’s far more than that. She’s an accomplished archer, great lease member, and exceptional partner to navigate this crazy world!
Based upon our trail camera pics, I knew this would likely be a night time endeavor so on Saturday morning I opted for a spot to get a doe or take a look at a good buck that was recently frequenting the area. The buck was a no show but this lady hung out a little too long that morning.
Saturday evening the plans were slightly adjusted after observing another known good buck on a trail camera. This is a decent buck we’ve been waiting to show up and I was definitely interested in taking a better look at him in person. While the pig was still primary, I knew it wouldn’t likely be until after dark so the plan was to sit here for the buck and then bounce to an adjacent set not that far where the pig had been showing up after dark. The buck was a no show, so I quickly bailed right at dark and setup in the other set.
The next 5 hours were pretty quiet aside from the numerous coyote howls and buzzing mosquitoes. I knew this pig had been showing up late but it was now about midnight and I already been out for the evening sit in the other blind plus the 5 hours here. My tired old body was starting to feel it. One of my hunting partners, Jim Grimes (lost buckaroo) had recently put out cellular trail cameras. I’ve been a little on the fence on them as it just feels like too much technology encroachment in the woods. However, I found myself wanting to check a few sets to see if the pig had shown anywhere. I found him on another set in the pasture I was in but a decent distance away with regards to driving. I checked it another time or two to see if he was there, slightly dejected. It suddenly hit me, “dummy”… If you know where he is, go get him.
I grabbed my stuff and bailed to the suburban. I quickly made my way around the ranch and stopped well short of the set, at another stand. I checked the camera and he was still there. I hoofed it on foot from there at a fast pace as I knew he had already been there for some time. When getting close, I checked the camera once more but there was no update, then what appeared to be a blank pic with no pig. I pressed on closer and checked one final time, relieved to see he was still there. I eased forward.
I was now close enough in the dark to hear his breath blowing the dust around as he searched for every last kernel of corn. I crept in slow and quiet. I could see his faint outline on the edge of the set from the green hog lights. His mostly white body definitely helped as well. For those of you that stalk animals, you know the adrenaline surge that happens as you get closer to range with every step. I could feel a slight shake of excitement and nervousness shoot down my leg. I took another step to divert my focus only to break a small limb. The pig instantly froze and did that slight "hunch down" thing, nervously staring for the possible danger he thought he might have heard. It only lasted a few seconds but felt like forever as I wandered if I’d gotten this close only to blow it. He relaxed and walked forward behind the feeder and I used the opportunity to take one final step and prepare for the shot. When he came out from behind the feeder, I touched my red light and eased it down on him. Luckily, he could care less and I settled the pin and sent the Exodus on its way.
If you look close, you can see the nockturnal glowing as he carried the arrow away.
I decided to give him a little time. I went and got the suburban and came back for the track. I found the arrow glowing almost instantly on the track, broken about ½ to ¾ up with good blood. I began following a good blood trail and jumped him not far in. He stood up, turned around and fell right back down. He was hurting bad, staring at me intently, popping his teeth. I turned off the main light, eased on my red light and put another arrow in him at the only angle I had. He stood up, took a step and just stood there. In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have, but I put one more arrow in him just to make sure he wasn’t going to get some crazy surge of adrenaline and run another 100 yards in the dark. He of course made sure to fall over on that arrow and snap it off as he succumbed to his wounds.
No, it’s not a P&Y or B&C buck, but it's just as good. I’ve killed a lot of pigs over the years with a handful of good ones and this one is special. His coloration is pretty unique in itself and the tusks on both sides are just downright cool.
There’s a lot of season left and plenty of good animals to take, but I’m pretty happy with how it’s turned out if I don’t get anything else. However, I do have a trophy to find and a management buck I have a score to settle with. I hit this one high with what should be a flesh wound 2 weeks ago and I’m past ready for him to show back up.
Here's a picture of him, 10+ years old.
Anyways, it’s been awhile and feels good to share a hunting story. I hope all of you are having an enjoyable season and wish you the best of luck. I look forward to what it holds for all of you!!!!
Thanks,
Michael
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